Tape-measure.



-' 'Wihemrew No. 852,771. PATENTED MAY '7, 1907.

1 B. A. GHRISTOPH.

TAPE MEASURE.

APPLICATION FIL BD 0OT.1. 1906.

EMIL A. CHRISTOPH, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS,

ASSIGNOR TO CHICAGO TAPE & LABEL COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

TAPE-MEASURE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May '7, 1907.

Application filed October 1, 1906. Serial No- 886,924.

T0 at whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, EMIL A. Cr-mis'rorr-r, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Tape Measures, of which the following is a clear, full, and exact description.

My invention relates, more particularly, to tape-measures used by tailors and dressmakers. These tape-measures have, generally, been provided with a plate called a runner through which the tape is freely drawn, and is adapted to mark or indicate to the user the exact measurement obtained more accurately and expeditiously than can be done by the usual finger manipulation.

The object of my invention is not only to accomplish this result, but also to enable the runner to automatically retain any position on the tape to which it may be adjusted for future reference if desired, or for subsequent use in connection with a suitable marking device to draw a line parallel with the edge of the fabric or cloth when making the patterns of the garment.

In the drawings :Figure l is a top plan view of a tape and guide-plate made as contemplated by my invention. Fig. 2 is a transverse section therethrough, taken on dotted line 2-2, Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a top plan View of a modified form of my invention. Fig. 4 is a transverse section thereof taken on dotted line 4-4 of Fig. 3.

Referring to the drawings A represents a suitable tape-measure, made of cloth or other flexible material, that is, preferably, pro vided with the usual lineal graduations as shown. This tape is run through a suitable runner or guide-plate, consisting of a plate of sheet metal stamped out and the central portion is bent double transversely to provide a lower member B and an upper member b. The bend connecting these members is such as to keep the upper member normally pressing down upon the lower, and the lower member is provided with a longitudinal channel C in which the tape is laid, and drawn back and forth, and the upper member is provided with a corresponding downwardly projecting longitudinally extending rib c that enters and fits in channel C, and clamps and holds the tape therein under suflicient pressure to prevent its slipping lengthwise. The free longitudinal edge of the upper member is provided with a lateral extension or finger e and is bent downward and outward, passing through an opening E in the lower member where it is provided with a finger-grip a.

By pressing the finger-grip and lower member together the pressure on the tape in the channel C is released suflicient to allow the tape to be freely drawn lengthwise in either direction and adjusted to any desired position relatively to said runner. Upon removing the pressure on the finger-grip the upper member will return to its normal position and firmly hold the tape by forcing the rib a into the channel C as before described. In order to prevent its accidental withdrawal from the runner I provide each end of the tape with a suitable enlargement or button F.

In Figs. 3 and 4 I have shown a modified form of runner. This modified runner consists of a plate H of substantially the same outline as plate B, and has one or more tongues h out out of the central portion of the face thereof. These tongues, preferably, have their central portions raised to a higher plane than that of the plate to permit the passage of the tape thereunder, while their free extremities are bent downward and then upward to form a V-shaped lug h. The lower bend or angle of this lug extends below the plane of the under surface of plate H, so that, when the tape I is to be adjusted, said end can be pushed upward and the pressure on the tape released allowing it to be drawn freely under the tongues 72/ in either direction.

One of the important advantages of my invention is that the tape can be removed from the runner whenever desired. For instance, the tape may become worn and its removal from the runner and the substitution of a new one necessary; or a party may have an old tape and desire to use my improved runner in connection therewith. In such cases after the tape has been removed by separating the spring member from the plate sufficiently, the tape can be readily inserted in place either lengthwise or side wise.

By making the tape-holder as above described the same can be made of one piece of metal stamped out in the shape desired and bent double to form the upper and lower members of the clamp. This materially reduces the expense of making such a device because the same can be made by two operations and requires no tooling or other manipulation.

WVhat I claim as new is 1. The combination with a tape-measure, of a runner consisting of a substantially rectangular plate having a longitudinal channel therein'traversed by said tape and between the sides of which said tape is guided, and having integral means for adjustably clamp- -ing said tape in said channel.

2. The combination with a tape-measure, of a runner consisting of a substantially rectangular plate having a longitudinal channel therein traversed by said tape and between the sides of which said tape is confined and guided, and having an integral spring mem ber for adjustably clamping said tape in said channel.

3. The combination with a tape-measure, of a runner consisting of a substantially rectangular plate having a longitudinal channel therein traversed by said tape and between the sides of which said tape is confined and guided and having an integral spring-member which has a downwardly projecting longitudinal rib for adj ustably clamping said tape in said channel.

4. The combination with a tape-measure, of a runner consisting of a substantially rectangular plate bent double transversely, the

lower member of which is provided with a longitudinal channel traversed by said tape and between the sides of which said tape is guided and confined, and the upper member of which plate normally presses down upon the said tape. 7

5. The combination with a tape-measure, of a runner consisting of a substantially rectangular plate bent double transversely, the lower member of which is provided with a longitudinal channel traversed by said tape and between the sides of which said tape is guided and confined, and the upper member of said plate having a longitudinal downwardly projecting rib normally pressing down upon said tape.

6. The combination with a tape-measure, of a runner consisting of a plate bent double transversely to provide an upper member normally pressing downward thereon, the lower member having an opening near the edge thereof opposite the bend, and said upper member having a finger extending transversely and downwardly through said openmg.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 27th day of September, A. D.,-1906. i

EMIL A. CHRISTOPH.

Witnesses:

FRANK D. THOMASON, E. K. LUNDY. 

